Liew: Direct China flights on
Published on: Monday, March 20, 2023
“The General Manager of China Southern Airlines (Eric Wang Xu) confirmed that the airlines will reinstate flight services from Shenzhen to Kota Kinabalu beginning April 29. There will be three weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday,” Liew said.
Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew hailed the official announcement of the much-anticipated revival of scheduled direct flights to Kota Kinabalu from Shenzhen, Xiamen and Shanghai this year via major China airlines. These flights were discontinued due to the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. The announcement was made by top company officials from the airlines’ Kuala Lumpur Office, representing China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.ADVERTISEMENT
“The General Manager of China Southern Airlines (Eric Wang Xu) confirmed that the airlines will reinstate flight services from Shenzhen to Kota Kinabalu beginning April 29. There will be three weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday,” she said.
Xiamen Airlines would restore its flight to Kota Kinabalu around May, according to General Manager Gao Ya Shuang. General Manager of China Eastern Airlines Li Bin said the company would resume its flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu in June or July.
“This timely move by the three Chinese airlines augurs well for the State Government’s effort to spur tourism recovery post-pandemic,” Liew said.
Meanwhile, Liew reminded the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Management to improve its public toilets and ensure cleanliness of the facilities at all times.ADVERTISEMENT
“Please make sure there is regular water supply to prevent any stench emitting from the latrines,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Sabah is assured of year-long domestic tourist boom if the response to the 45 travel and tour agents participating in the three-day Matta Travel Fair in Kuala Lumpur is any indication.
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Throughout the travel expo, visitors flocked to the Sabah pavilion to make queries and purchase tour packages.
Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the favourable response to Sabah was especially heartening given that many visitors are ready to buy tour packages on the spot.
“While Semporna, Kundasang and Kinabatangan remain popular destinations, people have also inquired about attractions in other parts of the State.
“This is a good indicator that consumers are interested to see more of Sabah to have unique experiences that are distinctive,” he said.
Some have bought packages to Kundasang, Kota Belud, Lahad Datu, Semporna, and Sandakan to dive, observe wildlife, and experience local culture, among others.
On Saturday, Joniston hosted an engaging dinner with news editors, travel bloggers, and influencers.
The engagement aims to foster closer ties with the peninsula-based media community and to share up-to-date information on all things Sabah, with a focus on the tourism industry.
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